As youth unemployment continues to grow (22% today) BYC again call on our decision making employers, educators and Government to address the issues more pragmatically to prevent unemployment having long term consequences on society. Young people have continued to bear the brunt of the downturn in the economy.

The Office of National Statistics data showed, with 1.04 million 16 to 24 year-olds out of work in the three months to December, an increase of 22,000 on the previous three months. The unemployment rate among this group is 22.2%.

The Prince’s Trust new Job Ambassadors scheme will see young people, who have faced long-term unemployment and transformed their lives with help from The Prince’s Trust, employed as ‘Job Ambassadors’ to help other jobless youngsters. The announcement is a direct response to the recent record-breaking youth unemployment levels – which hit 1.04 million last month. Find more at: http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/

“A new BYC survey – Our Future – reveals that young people believe that youth unemployment will worsen and competition for university places is set to increase this year.”

Young people aged 11 to 25 (total sample 1172) told BYC:

● Young people believe that youth unemployment will worsen and competition for university places is set to increase.

● Most young people (6 out of 10) think the Government’s strategy will not tackle youth unemployment.

● Only 6 out of 10 young people are optimistic about whether they will have the job and career they want in the future.

● 68% feel that the Government’s strategy for economic growth does not involve young people.

Sixth Formers/ College students, aged 16-18 (sample 433) told BYC:

● 64% expect youth unemployment to worsen in the UK by the end of this year.

● 55% expect competition for university places to worsen in 2012.

Liam Preston, Chair of BYC: “The ACEVO report not only highlights the terrible cost of youth unemployment to the economy but points to complex underlying causes. However – if you are on the receiving end of youth unemployment none of this matters. The unemployment rate for you as an individual is 100%!”

“Whilst most young people are upbeat about their futures, many are under the impression that current Government economic plans don’t include young people and won’t address youth unemployment, which they expect to get worse.”

“The current levels of youth unemployment are shocking. The youth of today are feeling under siege and undervalued with a series of measures that make it tougher still – rising student fees, cuts to youth services, loss of EMA“.

“We want to be more positive and call on those in power, be they politicians, employers or educators – to start talking to us, and with us about the future. After all the future is a world where we will all have to live together, and where future prosperity depends on how well we prepare the youth of today to rise to its challenges.”

“We call for a bolder vision and investment in the youth of today, particularly around careers advice and job ready skills“.

UK Youth Parliament MYP Lola Mustapha said…

“It is devastating that our generation is losing out on hopeful opportunities for employment as a result of the Government’s economic crisis. We deserve to also be given the right to grow, not only as young individuals but also as future leaders of society”